You know me, I love looking outside the genealogy box to discover
strategies and inspirational stories that can help us be better
family historians. In today’s episode, we’re heading back to World
War II, and event that in some way touched the lives of every
genealogist’s family, and we’re going to hear an incredible tale
deception while at the same time gather research strategies,
interview techniques, and compelling story telling methods that I
know you’ll love and be able to apply to your own family
history.

Rick Beyer, is not only a best-selling author, but he’s also an
award-winning filmmaker, and popular speaker. He wrote and directed
the acclaimed documentary film Ghost Army, which premiered on PBS in
2013, and is currently available here.

(Photo above: Rick Beyer. Photo by Brian
Smith)

Please click images below for the book or DVD. Thank you for using
our links to Amazon - you are helping us produce the free Genealogy
Gems Podcast.

Watch the
trailer for The Ghost Army:

The Interview:

Rick explains the three divisions of the Ghost Army, and the
deception they were responsible for. Radio, Visual:

The book is compelling on many levels: the storytelling, the
integration of all the art, photos and documents, and fantastic
catchy chapter titles that make you want to read, and Rick shares
the secret behind his success, particularly those catch chapter
titles!

Telling family history stories in a way that captivates
non-genealogists can be a tough job. Rick shares his tips for
telling great stories, particularly in a book format.

(Photo above: Photo montage featuring some of the eleven
hundred men of the Ghost Army. From the book The Ghost Army of
World War II. Credit: Photos contributed by William Sayles, Dick
Syracuse, Nathaniel Dahl, Jack McGlynn, Bob
Boyajian)

A Very Special Gem: A Plate of Peas by Rick
BeyerAttention
Genealogy Gems App Users: Watch Rick tell this heartwarming
story. The video is part of your episode Bonus
Content. Get the App here

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"In the end, we may search
with our computers, but we never want to stop searching with our
hearts."Lisa Louise
Cooke